When the first Guardians of the Galaxy film hit theaters, audiences were taken aback by the charm of its eclectic cast of misfits, each more damaged than the last. As the franchise grew with the release of the second film, director James Gunn expanded the GOTG family and made us fall in love with each character even more. Now, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn has given us the perfect film to conclude the journey of these beloved characters.
GOTG Vol. 3 is a darker, more emotional, and perhaps the strongest film in the trilogy. It is the film that the Marvel Cinematic Universe needed in its current phase to breathe a little fresh air into the franchise. We can only thank the stars that James Gunn was back in the MCU to see off some of our favorite characters.
Ask anyone who their favorite Guardian of the Galaxy is, and you will likely get one of two answers: Rocket, the trigger-happy, cranky, cybernetically enhanced raccoon, or the talking tree, Groot. In this finale, it is Rocket and his tragic past that takes center stage. The film begins fittingly with Rocket brooding to the acoustic version of Radiohead’s Creep. The Guardians now live on Knowhere, which is attacked by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), leaving Rocket injured and in danger. This spurs the Guardians, who are joined by the new version of Gamora, to race headlong into danger to save Rocket’s life. It might not seem like a large enough stake, but it is exactly what makes this film work.
GOTG Vol. 3 goes deep into each of the characters and traces their growth. From Quill, who is still dealing with the loss of Gamora, to Drax, who is more than the dumb guy, to Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and her strife to be herself, and Nebula (Karen Gillan) learning to be more than what Thanos made her. Each of them is imperfect but willing to give up their lives for the others. The villain of the piece, the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a scientist with a god complex, who is hellbent on creating the perfect species, putting animals like Rocket through brutal surgeries, is therefore the perfect antagonist, and Iwuji does a great job of it.
However, just because the subject of the film is grim, doesn’t mean that all the color, madness, and humor we have always associated with the Guardians are done away with. With bizarre scenes like the Guardians in brightly colored suits floating through space to enter an organic space station, a massive skull flying through space guns blazing, Gunn brings his signature style. The script still retains the snark and hilarity to balance out the somber and brutal.
Of course, no film is perfect. The whole bit about the Sovereign feels pointless, and Adam Warlock is a complete waste in the film, only there seemingly to churn out spin-offs. Some of the action sequences feel too hurried to even understand what’s going on. But when the hall breaks out into cheers as Rocket pulls off a fantastic move, or Groot does something special, or Drax says something Drax-like, you know the film has hit the right notes, and none of it is fan pandering.
We couldn’t have asked for a better resolution to the Guardians of the Galaxy with each of them facing their fears, finding their place, and coming full circle. Boy, are we glad that James Gunn was back at the helm of this final voyage.